The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-02-26
ToWsoNTovvN Md, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1887.
why Young Men Fail.
Country Gentleman.

Country Gentleman.
On every hand we meet those whose
life has proved failure, who have never
known anything but poverty, to whom
life has simply been continual struggle
for bread; comforts and luxuries they
bade farewell to, years ago.
These men were once boys. The
future was just as promising as to many
of their fellows, upon whom fortune
has always seemed to smile. Let US 60
back to those early days. In the vicin-
ity where both lived, there were farms
on which there was work to be done.
The one ready to engage in any work
of necessity on the farm, lost no time in
securing the first job he could find.
Not always indeed was it in accordance
with his tastes; but he went at it with
determination to do his best. By tax
ing an interest in his employers busi-
ness, he made it for the time his own.
His employer, not slow to observe this,
trusted him more and more, and at the
end of the season was ready to retain
Illtll dl dUVduCGQ wages
He thoroughly learned all the details
of the business. Was it fitting the ground
for growing crops-he ever endeavored
to the best of his ability to do his work
so we'll as to give perfect satisfaction.
If crops were to be put in, he followed
instructions, and none were put in care
lessly. At harvest time he was told to
save carefully what had matured, as it
was great waste not to secure what had
cost time and labor to plant and culti
vate.
Thus he learned valuable lessons in
economy. The same interest he had
in his employers work made him care
full as to the use of tools. Farm tools
were put in their place, and many little
repairs given, at time when single
bolt, nail driven, or some little thing
attended to, would prevent breakage
and loss.
All these little things, each seeming
small of itself, secured him a steady
place at the best wages, until he finally
accumulated sufficient sum to start for
himself. need not follow him further,
the secret of his success is plain.
But how about the other young man,
who lived near, with as strong muscles
as the first? He obtained situation
equal to that of his fellow. His en-
ployer went with him to the field to
start the plow. After few furrows, he
left him with the injunction to see that
every sod was turned over. For little
the young man obeyed orders; but get
ting impatient, he began to neglect his
work, thus soliloquizing: 'The old man
will never know the difference after |
have dragged it over once or twice.
At sowing time, instead of following
instructions to fit the ground thorough
ly, he did what he was obliged to, car
ing not what the harvest might be. He
was always ready to find fault with his
employers manner of doing work to any
who might be passing, and was always
quite particular about the kind of work
he should do. In fact he was of the
same type as young man I once knew
who married bright active young wo-
man and began in my neighborhood by
hiring house, expecting to get work
by the day. There was great demand
for day laborers. At corn planting time
a farmer sent for him to help draw out
his hog manure, and he bluntly inform
ed him that he did not have to clean
out hog pens for living; and I guess
he was right, for he never owned one,
and the last I knew of him, he had
feeble wife and some half dozen children
to help support him. Is it any wonder
he is to-day on the town-he who began
his early life in this manner?
During the war, knew young man
who, barely eighteen years of age, en-
tered the service as private. He had
been taught at home to do work well,
and he entered upon the duties of the
soldier with determination to obey
orders and try to please. Never over
strong, the fatigue and exposure OF
camp-life made sad inroads upon his
health. He finally resolved to secure a
better position if possible, and without
recommend of any sort made applica-
ton for place at general headquarters,
and secured it.
Among other duties, were papers to
be made out in which the word 'vicin-
ity, occurred. The papers were not
handed back, and he had not the cour-
age to ask any questions. The officer
finally said:
sHave Won ever ceen me- make a cor
rection in your papers?
'Yes, SIR he answered 'and have
often wished you would hand it back
that l might see what correction you
had made
'How do you spell the word vicinityP
'Vacinity!'
Spell it with 1, instead of a.
No such correction was ever necessary
again; and by close attention to busl-
ness, he retained his position until dis
charged. 1t is the careful attention to
little details that fit young men to oc-
cupy positions of trust. Not unfrequent-
ly we hear young men complaining be-
cause no one appreciates their abilities.
They expect to step at once into good
position at full wages. Every young
man may safely lay it down as rule,
that if he faithfully performs the work
at hand he will be appreciated, and
higher positions will open before him ;
but if he wishes to look forward to years
of poverty, let him find fault with his
employer whenever his back is turned,
slight work, grumbles at his wages,
throw stones at the horses, and club the
COWS.